Offered in: Chicago

The Music Composition program challenges dedicated individual composers to develop and hone their creative skills. The goals of the program are for all students to develop in the following areas:

• Originality: We are training students to be creative individuals and critical thinkers.
• Craftsmanship: We are training students to be equipped with the technical knowledge and skills to perform tasks within their field.
• Professionalism: We are preparing students to be professional musicians within the larger musical industry.

At the graduate level, the faculty emphasizes the creation of extended works, breadth of technique, and the synthesis of influences, experiences, and abilities that result in the emergence of a personal style. The culminating final project (thesis) is an original composition of significant proportions.

Four public composition recitals each year and multiple opportunities for collaboration with other programs such as dance, piano, instrumental ensembles, and opera provide students with ample and regular opportunities to work with other musicians to prepare formal performances of their compositions. The graduate recital demonstrates growth and progress in the student's portfolio over four semesters of study and the ability to compose works of sophistication and expanded length for larger ensembles. A complete listing of program requirements is published in the Interdisciplinary Conservatory Handbook (Academic Supplement)

Admission Requirements

Please consult the CCPA Admission and Audition Information web page for audition requirements for prospective Music Composition majors.

Grade Requirements

The minimum passing grade in the major sequence (MCMP 411 GRADUATE COMPOSITION I, MCMP 414 GRADUATE COMPOSITION IV, MCMP 416 GRADUATE COMPOSITION RECITAL; and MCMP 490 THESIS), is B-.

GPA Requirements

Master’s degree students must maintain a cumulative Roosevelt GPA of 3.0 or higher to be in good academic standing.

Course Requirements (Music Composition) 

THESIS REQUIREMENT

For the thesis project, the candidate for the Master of Music in Composition must compose a work of significant proportions, such as a work of 10-12 minutes for an orchestra or wind ensemble; a 15-20 minute work for a large chamber ensemble (10-15 performers); or a 15-20 minute electroacoustic work. A completed transmittal form must be received by the Registrar’s Office, and the full score (or recordings and programming if appropriate) must be submitted to the University Archive. Both are due by April 1 for spring graduation or November 15 for fall graduation. All candidates must present a recital of original music, including program notes, of at least 30 minutes duration (at least two works). All music on the recital is to be written during the student's residency at CCPA. The thesis composition may be programmed on the recital. The program for the recital must be approved by the primary composition teacher no later than six weeks in advance of the recital date. During the final semester in residence, students will give a presentation on their thesis and compositional techniques and influences in the Composition Seminar.

Your degree map is a general guide suggesting courses to complete each term on the academic pathway to your degree. It is based on the most current scheduling information from your academic program. Your program’s degree map is reviewed annually and updated as schedules change (although you retain the same course requirements as long as you are continuously enrolled in your degree program).

Always work closely with your academic advisor to understand curriculum requirements and scheduling, as each student’s academic plan can look slightly different.

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The Orchestration sequence (MTA 401 and MTA 402) and the Electroacoustic sequence (MTA 425 and MTA 426) are offered in alternating academic years. In years where the Orchestration sequence is being offered, students should take an MAS elective (fall) and MTA 402 (spring); in years where the Electroacoustic sequence is being offered, students should take MTA 425 (fall) and MTA 426 (spring).